America’s Ben Shelton defeated defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a U.S. Open quarterfinal that sparked fan outrage over late-night scheduling. The match, which began at 11 p.m. ET after a backlog of delays.
The epic showdown between Shelton and Alcaraz concluded with Shelton winning 10-7 in the final set tiebreaker. The late finish marked a match that stands as the latest finish in the history of a tournament increasingly known for its overnight duels, while the 2022 quarterfinal between Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner finished at 2:50 a.m. ET.
The match’s delayed start stemmed from a cascade of lengthy contests earlier in the day. Aryna Sabalenka’s victory over Linda Noskova and Frances Tiafoe’s thriller against Alex Michelsen pushed the schedule far behind. By the time Shelton and Alcaraz took the court at 11 p.m. ET, fans had already endured a day filled with matches. The day session at Arthur Ashe Stadium began at 11:30 a.m. ET, with Sabalenka defeating Noskova. Tiafoe then outlasted Michelsen, followed by Pegula’s victory over Navarro, which further delayed the schedule.
It’s incredible,
Shelton said after the match, acknowledging the late hour. I always say that this is the greatest sports city in the world, I say that this is the greatest stadium in the world. I’m just hoping that my best friend and my sister over there don’t have to be at work at 6 a.m. in three hours.
Ben Shelton beats Carlos Alcaraz in latest ever U.S
Fan Outcry Over Scheduling Decisions
The delayed start ignited fierce criticism on social media, with fans and analysts alike condemning the U.S. Open’s scheduling choices. Sportswriter Anthony Dubbundo tweeted, Brutal scheduling luck for the Open that the most anticipated match of the tournament thus far won’t start until after 11 ET.
Another fan wrote, So what time is the Alcaraz Shelton match starting at this point?? @usopen has got to fix this scheduling insanity.
Many fans argued the tournament should have used a second court to prevent the backlog. One observer wrote, I’m sorry, but Shelton/Alcaraz not starting before 10pm is unacceptable. So many of us have been excited about watching it all day. Now many of us will struggle to stay up to see any of it.
The criticism extended to the U.S. Open’s long-standing tradition of late-night matches. Alcaraz/Shelton not starting until at least 11 pm Eastern. I know late nights and marathon matches are things the US Open prides themselves on, but this is good for nobody,
one fan noted. Another declared, This behavior by the US Open should be illegal. Not having Alcaraz Shelton prime time is insane.
This Behavior Should Be Illegal
Scheduling Adjustments Announced
In response to the backlash, the U.S. The day session will begin with Zheng Qinwen vs. Elena Rybakina at 11:30 a.m. ET, followed by Mirra Andreeva vs. Coco Gauff and then Karen Khachanov’s clash with Alexander Blockx. With the women’s semifinals scheduled for Thursday, the revised order gives the winners a reasonable window to recover before their next match. The evening session will feature Alexander Zverev vs. Botic van de Zandschulp at 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by a men’s doubles contest featuring Andrea Vavassori and Simone Bolelli against Christian Harrison and Neal Skupski.
Despite the adjustments, the tournament’s late-night tendencies remain a point of contention. Top seed Alexander Zverev has twice been on court until around 2 a.m. ET this year, while Shelton previously battled Denis Shapovalov in another match that stretched late into the night. In 2022, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz produced a quarterfinal epic that set the record for the latest finish in US Open history, ending at 2:50 a.m. ET.
What Comes Next for the U.S. Open?
The controversy highlights ongoing debates about the U.S. Open’s approach to scheduling. While the tournament has long embraced its reputation for late-night matches, the growing popularity of the event has intensified pressure to balance tradition with fan accessibility. With the women’s semifinals scheduled for Thursday, the focus now shifts to how the tournament manages its remaining matches without repeating the scheduling issues of Tuesday.
